Migraine with or without metabolic syndrome: Is there any difference?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Metabolic Disorders
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Migraine is a prevalent neurological disorder affecting 12-15% of the population.
• Limited research exists comparing migraine patients with and without metabolic syndrome.
• This study investigates clinical differences between these patient groups.

Purpose of the Study:

• To identify distinct patterns in migraine frequency, severity, or triggers in patients with and without metabolic syndrome.
• To compare clinical parameters between migraineurs with and without metabolic syndrome.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional study design.
• Inclusion criteria: patients meeting International Classification of Headache Disorders-3rd edition (ICHD-3) criteria for migraine.
• Metabolic syndrome defined by National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP)-Third Report criteria.
• Assessment of headache severity (visual analog scale) and disability (MIDAS score).

Main Results:

• 204 migraine patients were recruited; 12.25% had metabolic syndrome.
• Migraineurs with metabolic syndrome showed a significantly higher mean age at onset, greater female preponderance, and longer mean duration of illness.
• No significant differences were found in migraine triggers, frequency, severity, or disability between groups.

Conclusions:

• Metabolic syndrome is present in approximately 12% of migraine patients.
• Metabolic syndrome is associated with older age at onset, longer illness duration, and a higher prevalence in women among migraineurs.
• Migraine characteristics like triggers, frequency, and severity did not differ significantly based on metabolic syndrome status.